The Mayflower and Mayflower 400

Projects and partners

Projects

Southwark Council, British Land and United St Saviour’s Charity have awarded grants to local organisations for commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower sailing.

Part of the £140,000 programme has gone to such diverse projects as Club Herop’s photojournalism initiative, Bermondsey Artist Group’s two year community multi-media programme, the Illuminate Rotherhithe festival, Art in the Park’s schools programme, an intergenerational theatre piece run by London Bubble and many local historical talks and events. See the full list of funded projects. 

The Noise of the Mayflower

The Noise of the Mayflower is a piece of aural research about the Mayflower crossing in 1620, an event whose historical ‘signals’ are still heard today in discussions about colonialism and national identity. But what about noise? Can we still hear the noise that the pilgrims experienced at sea, the noise of the Mayflower ship, or the sound of spoken language in the 17th century? Created by Radio Anti for Southwark Park Galleries.

The Mayflower community commemorative boat trip

Residents from the community at Bermondsey and Rotherhithe joined a voyage on the River Thames on Friday 4 September 2020. A boat named Millennium London, provided by City Cruises based at Cherry Garden, left Tower Hill pier with a second vessel, a Thames sailing barge called Will, from nearby Saint Katherine’s pier.

'Woman Peeling Turnips; A Portrait of my Father'

This eighteen-part poetic essay was written in Southwark Park Gallery’s Bermondsey Bothy and has been adapted for broadcast and is narrated by the poet Richard Scott with orchestration by the artist Anat Ben-David. The project was supported by the Southwark Mayflower 400 Grants Fund. (Content advice: This piece contains adult themes and some explicit language). 

Mayflower Youth Awards

This online competition and awards ceremony is coordinated by Restorative Justice for All to celebrate the contribution of migrants and refugees across the UK. They aim to bring young people from different backgrounds together to enhance cultural awareness and community cohesion.

Charting the Mayflower: Arrivals

Charting the Mayflower is London Bubble's community inquiry into the Mayflower voyage; bringing together historians, artists, volunteers and participants in the build-up to its 400th anniversary. This pamphlet shares findings and reflections from the third phase of the project.

The Mayflower - The arrival
Charting the Mayflower - The Arrival

 

The Mayflower - The deal
Charting the Mayflower - The Deal

Art in the Park: Prince Lee Boo sessions

Local primary schools have worked with local artists and a horticulturist to create their artworks in response to the story of Prince Lee Boo. Inspiration was taken from native Palauan plants and visits to St Mary’s Church, Rotherhithe.

Art in the Park Prince Lee Boo session
Art in the Park - Prince Lee Boo art session

Details of upcoming events will be listed on the Southwark Presents what’s on diary once announced.

Partners

Southwark Council is working with businesses, cultural and community partners to ensure that a programme of events and activities building up to 2020 acts as a catalyst to:

  • build local, national and international partnerships
  • increase awareness and tourist facilities in Rotherhithe and Southwark
  • promote Southwark’s own Mayflower stories and associated activity
  • educate the young people of Southwark on the global impact and historical significance of the Mayflower
  • encourage cultural activity that celebrates and remembers those who sailed with the Mayflower 
  • ensure this anniversary is as inclusive and accessible as possible for all
  • guarantee the Mayflower's enduring legacy for future years

Organisations and residents have been coming together to develop a programme that brings our community and friends together to commemorate Mayflower 400.

Partners to date include:

Albion Primary School  /  Bacon’s College  /  Better Bankside  /  British Land  /  Brunel Museum  /  CGP London  /  The Clink Museum  /  City of London  /  The Golden Hinde  /  London Bubble  /  London & Partners  /  Mayflower Primary School  /  The Mayflower pub  /  Morley College  /  Rotherhithe & Bermondsey Local History Society  /  Royal British Legion  /  Sands Films  /  Southwark Cathedral  /  Southwark Council  /  Southwark Heritage Association  /  Southwark Young Pilgrims  /  St. Mary’s Church  /  Team London Bridge  /  United St Saviour’s Charity  /  University of the Arts London  /  US Embassy  /  What’s on in Rotherhithe Group

Page last updated: 14 February 2024

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